Tomosla is the collaborative alias of UK sound artists James Osland and Thomas Hoey. Their third full-length release and debut on Mahorka, "Dunestal", continues their evolving exploration of ambient music, following the critically regarded "A Small Town in the Mountains" on Shimmering Moods in 2021 and "Moor Thoughts" on Slow Tone Collages in 2023. 
 With a creative partnership spanning over a decade, Osland and Hoey have developed a uniquely organic approach to ambient composition. Their work is characterized by subtle textures, field recordings, and a deep sensitivity to environment and mood. At the heart of Tomosla's sound is a commitment to improvisation — a process-led approach where each piece unfolds naturally, shaped by spontaneous interaction and mutual intuition. This results in immersive, slow-evolving soundscapes that feel at once intimate and expansive.


Now based in Devon, the duo draw heavily on the region’s natural beauty — its coastlines, woodlands, and rural quietude — as both inspiration and material. Their music reflects a deep connection to place, channeling the rhythms and atmospheres of the countryside into sonic form. Traces of the Devon landscape are embedded throughout their work.


"Dunestal" was conceived during a long, rain-soaked weekend spent in Stoke Fleming and Dartmouth, along the rugged South Devon coast. Drawing inspiration from the area's dramatic landscapes and rich, layered history, the album emerged from a series of live improvisations recorded during this time.


The name "Dunestal" itself is rooted in local history. Listed in the Domesday Book of 1086, Dunestal was the only recorded settlement in what is now the parish of Dartmouth. At the time, it was held by Walter of Douai and described as a small but active community, home to two plough teams, two slaves, five villagers, and four smallholders. This historical backdrop provided fertile ground for artistic exploration.


Over the course of their stay, James and Thomas immersed themselves in the surrounding environment — walking the coastal paths, absorbing the shifting weather, and imagining the lives of those who once inhabited the land. In the evenings, they returned indoors to translate these impressions into sound. Using a wide range of synthesizers, guitar pedals, samplers, and field recordings, they began crafting a sonic journal — one shaped by instinct, memory, and place.
The result is "Dunestal": a meditative, atmospheric work that weaves together history and imagination, blending organic textures with ambient improvisation to evoke a deep sense of time and place.

Released April 26, 2025 as free (cc) digital download and as beautiful limited cassette edition.

All music by James Osland and Thomas Hoey

Mastering by Anatoly Tokee Grinberg
Artwork by James Osland and Ivo Petrov

[mhrk440]

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